17 September 2004
A proposed new contract between the NHS and high-street pharmacists would save money, increase access to care, improve the management of long-term illnesses and take pressure off other health services, a conference heard this week.
On September 15, an NHS Confederation conference on the future of community pharmacy heard that 6 million people visit more than 10,000 community pharmacies in England and Wales each day. Although 665 million prescriptions a year are dispensed, the skills of pharmacists and their staff are not fully utilised.
Alastair Buxton, head of NHS services at the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, which represents pharmacists, said the current contract had to change as it dealt only with prescriptions.
The proposed contract would include essential services such as dispensing, and advanced services such as medicine reviews and consultation with pharmacists. There would also be enhanced services such as diabetes screening and smoking cessation advice.
The Department of Health has agreed funding of £1.7bn to cover essential and advanced services. Although there were still points to be ironed out, the new contract might be implemented early next year.
Chris Town, chief executive of Peterborough Primary Care Partnership, told the London conference that the contract would reduce demand on GPs and help them meet their access targets.
And he added that by paying pharmacists to review patients' medication, the NHS could save £2 for every £1 invested.
Up to 80% of GP consultations are with patients with long-term illnesses but management of the conditions, through medication reviews or consultations with pharmacists, could cut patients' visits to general practices.
PFsep2004
